International Women's Day highlights IT's failings

The IT industry's poor reputation for gender equality was highlighted further today, as celebrations of International Women's Day (IWD) were interrupted by attacks on the organiser's web site.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, which aims to celebrate the achievements of women, past and present, with more than 2,000 events planned across the globe.

According to the IWD organisers, the internationalwomensday.com web site experienced several attacks in the early part of the day, resulting in a brief disruption to its operations.

The IT industry already has a poor reputation for gender equality. Analysis undertaken by online recruitment service, The IT Jobs Board, showed that just 16 per cent of applicants for vacancies are women.

And yet women are desperately needed in IT, said Karen Price, chief executive of e-Skills, the IT sector training body. Over the next decade, employment in the IT industry is projected to grow five times faster than the UK average, she said.

"This year, just nine per cent of A-level computing students were girls, while women account for just 15 per cent of those on computing degrees," she added.

Recently, one Computing reader with 20-years standing in the industry, wrote in to advise young women not to follow her in example. She complained of experiencing sexism during her career although she went on to say that ageism was an even greater threat to enjoying a long career.

"The sector is male-dominated, and – I believe – a prejudice exists that men are perhaps more proficient when it comes to IT," said Alex Farrell, managing director of The IT Jobs Board. "Of course, this doesn't paint an accurate picture and the sector boasts a wealth of female talent – talent which should be championed."

One way in which women's achievements in science and technology is celebrated is through Ada Lovelace Day, when bloggers are encouraged to write posts about inspiring women in technology.

The problem facing the IT industry is not simply a matter of attacting young women into the profession, but keeping them, according to Suw Charman-Anderson, the brains behind Ada Lovelace Day. "The exit rate is appallingly high," she told Computing.

If the IT industry is to attract more women, then those already in the industry need to know they will not hit a glass ceiling, she added.

This year's event will take place on 7 October 2011, to celebrate the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths. Previously the day, named after the author of the world's first computer programme, has been held in March.

Elsewhere, e-Skills UK's Girls in IT campaign aims to prove that IT can provide a rewarding career for young women by showcasing the opportunities available at several leading employers.

"By inspiring girls about technology careers we can help ensure the UK IT industry is not missing out on half the talent pool, and, therefore, has the skills it needs to succeed in the global digital economy, now and in the future," said Price.

Meanwhile, Google also celebrated IWD. It added a new female figure – Pegwoman – for users of its Google Maps tool to click on.